Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan, officially the Republic of Uzbekistan, is a landlocked nation in Central Asia, spanning approximately 447,400 km², bordered by Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Afghanistan.[1] With a population of about 37 million, its official language is Uzbek, and its economy relies on agriculture, natural gas, and mining. The Catholic Church, introduced in the 19th century, is a minority religion, with approximately 3,000 Catholics (0.008% of the population), contributing minimally to cultural life due to strict government oversight.[2][3] In a predominantly Muslim society, the Church faces challenges from religious restrictions, registration requirements, and a declining Catholic population due to emigration.[4][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Uzbekistan)[](https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-report-on-international-religious-freedom/uzbekistan/)
Stored: Uzbekistan
| Country: Uzbekistan | |
| Historic: | No |
| Existence: | – |
| Continent: | Asia |
| Region: | Central Asia |
| Historical Region: | |
| Area: | 447400 km² |
| Population: | 37000000 |
| Catholic Population: | 3000 |
| Catholic Percentage: | 0.008% |
| Catholicism Status: | Minority religion, Islam dominant |
| Official Languages: | Uzbek |
| Capital: | Tashkent |
| Catholicism Introduced: | 19th century |
| Ecclesiastical Provinces: | 0 |
| Dioceses: | 0 |
| Patron Saints: | None |
| Predecessor States: | |
| Successor States: | |
Geography
Uzbekistan covers 447,400 km², featuring deserts, mountains, and the Amu Darya River, with a continental climate.[1] The capital, Tashkent, and cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Fergana host small Catholic communities, with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Tashkent as a focal point. The Fergana Valley and Kyzylkum Desert limit Catholic outreach due to sparse populations and restrictions.
History
Uzbekistan’s history includes ancient Silk Road cities, Turkic khanates, Russian conquest (19th century), Soviet rule (1924–1991), and independence in 1991.[5] Catholicism arrived in the 19th century with Polish, Lithuanian, and German exiles under Russian rule, peaking at 11,000 Catholics in Turkestan by 1917.[6] Soviet repression and post-independence emigration reduced the Catholic presence, with the Church now under the Apostolic Administration of Uzbekistan since 2005.[7] Recent government reforms have slightly eased restrictions, but challenges persist.[8][](http://uzbek-travel.com/about-uzbekistan/monuments/roman-catholic-church/)[](https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/country/uz.html)[](https://international.la-croix.com/news/world/for-tiny-uzbekistan-church-new-year-seems-more-important-than-christmas/15425)
Demographics
Uzbekistan’s population of approximately 37 million is 80% Uzbek, 5% Russian, 5% Tajik, and 10% other (e.g., Kazakh, Karakalpak).[1] About 3,000 (0.008%) are Catholic, ranking fourth behind Muslims (88%), Russian Orthodox (2.3%), and other Christians (0.5%), with 9% non-religious or other.[3][4] Catholics, mostly descendants of European exiles, are concentrated in Tashkent, with numbers declining due to emigration.[8][](https://international.la-croix.com/news/world/for-tiny-uzbekistan-church-new-year-seems-more-important-than-christmas/15425)
Catholic church
The Catholic Church in Uzbekistan operates under the Apostolic Administration of Uzbekistan, with 5 parishes and approximately 10 priests, overseen by the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.[2] Bishop Jerzy Maculewicz, Apostolic Administrator, manages limited pastoral activities. The Church runs no formal schools or charities due to government restrictions but conducts small-scale community outreach.[9][](https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2016/08/09/catholistan-the-state-of-the-church-in-central-asia/)
Structure
No ecclesiastical provinces or dioceses exist. The Apostolic Administration of Uzbekistan, established in 2005, covers the entire country, with parishes including Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Tashkent, St. John the Baptist Church in Samarkand, and others in Bukhara, Fergana, and Urgench.[2]
Introduction of Catholicism
Catholicism was introduced in the 19th century by Polish, Lithuanian, and German exiles sent to Central Asia during Russian rule, primarily in Tashkent.[6] The Apostolic Administration, established in 2005, formalized the Church’s minimal presence.[7]
Key historical events
Significant Catholic events include the arrival of European exiles (19th century), the establishment of Catholic communities in Tashkent by 1917, Soviet suppression (1920s–1991), the creation of the Apostolic Administration of Uzbekistan (2005), and a government-approved Catholic youth camp in Fergana Valley (2019).[6][10] Recent reforms have allowed limited religious activity, but strict oversight persists.[8][](https://uz.usembassy.gov/2019-report-on-international-religious-freedom-uzbekistan/)
Catholicism status
The Catholic Church in Uzbekistan is a minority religion, with 0.008% of the population identifying as Catholic in a predominantly Muslim (88%) society.[3] The state is secular per the 1992 constitution, but Islam dominates, and non-Muslim groups face registration and activity restrictions, limiting Catholic influence.[4]
Administrative subdivisions
Uzbekistan is divided into 12 first-level administrative subdivisions called Regions of Uzbekistan, plus one autonomous republic (Karakalpakstan) and one city (Tashkent).[1] The Apostolic Administration covers all regions, with parishes primarily in urban centers like Tashkent and Samarkand.
Cultural influence
Festivals and traditions
Uzbek Catholics celebrate Christmas and Easter in small, private gatherings at parishes like Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Tashkent, due to restrictions on public worship.[11] No patron saint is widely recognized, and traditions are minimal due to the small community.
Education and charity
The Church operates no formal schools or charities, as non-Muslim organizations require government approval, rarely granted.[4] Limited pastoral outreach supports the small Catholic community.[9]
Art and architecture
Catholic heritage is limited to modest churches like Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Tashkent, built in 1912, with simple architecture.[11] Religious art, such as icons, is confined to church interiors due to restrictions.
Notable Catholic sites
Pilgrimage sites
No major Catholic pilgrimage sites exist in Uzbekistan. Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Tashkent serves as the primary worship site.[2]
Historical churches
Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, constructed in 1912, is the oldest Catholic church, restored post-Soviet era.[11] St. John the Baptist Church in Samarkand supports a small congregation.
Saints and blesseds
Patron saints
Uzbekistan has no designated Catholic patron saint due to the Church’s small presence.[7]
Associated saints and blesseds
No saints or blesseds are directly associated with Uzbekistan. Early missionaries left no lasting legacy, and no native figures are venerated.[3]
Challenges to Catholicism
The Catholic Church faces significant challenges from government restrictions, requiring religious groups to register and limiting public worship, proselytizing, and literature distribution.[4] The Catholic population has declined 20% from 5,000 in 2008 to 3,000 in 2020 due to emigration of European descendants, particularly Poles and Germans.[3] Economic hardships and societal preference for Islam (88%) further marginalize Catholics, though recent reforms have allowed limited activities like a 2019 youth camp.[10] The Church responds with discreet community support and Vatican diplomacy to maintain its presence.[12][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Uzbekistan)[](https://international.la-croix.com/news/world/for-tiny-uzbekistan-church-new-year-seems-more-important-than-christmas/15425)[](https://thediplomat.com/2022/10/the-vaticans-diplomacy-in-central-asia/)
Social and political influence
The Catholic Church has minimal social or political influence in Uzbekistan due to its small size and government restrictions.[4] It promotes Catholic Social Teaching through small-scale community support, with no formal advocacy role, focusing on maintaining its legal status and fostering interfaith dialogue.[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Uzbekistan". CIA World Factbook. 2025-05-01. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/uzbekistan/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Catholic Church in Uzbekistan". GCatholic.org. 2025-04-15. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/country/UZ.htm.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Catholic Church in Uzbekistan". Wikipedia. 2025-04-20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Church_in_Uzbekistan.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "2023 Report on International Religious Freedom: Uzbekistan". U.S. Department of State. 2024-06-26. https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-report-on-international-religious-freedom/uzbekistan/.
- ↑ "Uzbekistan". Encyclopedia.com. 2025-03-01. https://www.encyclopedia.com/places/asia/central-asian-political-geography/uzbekistan.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Roman Catholic Church". Uzbek-Travel.com. 2023-01-01. https://uzbek-travel.com/about-uzbekistan/religion/roman-catholic-church/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Catholic Church in Uzbekistan". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. 2025-02-01. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/country/uz.html.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "For tiny Uzbekistan Church, New Year seems more hopeful". La Croix International. 2022-01-03. https://international.la-croix.com/news/for-tiny-uzbekistan-church-new-year-seems-more-hopeful/.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Catholistan: The state of the Church in Central Asia". Catholic World Report. 2016-08-09. https://www.catholicworldreport.com/news/catholistan-central-asia.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "2019 Report on International Religious Freedom: Uzbekistan". U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan. 2020-06-12. https://uz.usembassy.gov/2019-report-on-international-religious-freedom-uzbekistan/.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 "Uzbek Catholic Traditions". Catholics & Cultures. 2025-03-10. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/uzbekistan.
- ↑ "The Vatican’s Diplomacy in Central Asia". The Diplomat. 2022-10-03. https://thediplomat.com/2022/10/the-vaticans-diplomacy-in-central-asia/.